Marcus told caseworkers about his foster father’s abuse. A court must decide if their failure to act amounts to damages
Marcus, an Aboriginal man, alleges he suffered rape, beatings, and neglect while in foster care, despite numerous reports to authorities about the abuse. He is suing the NSW government for failing to act, arguing that the state owed him a non-delegable duty of care. The case may set a precedent for holding governments accountable for abuse in foster care when oversight is delegated to NGOs.
- ▪Marcus reported abuse by his foster father to caseworkers but remained in the home for years.
- ▪The abuse left him partially deaf, traumatized, and struggling with substance abuse.
- ▪His legal case tests whether the government can be held liable for failures by NGOs managing foster care placements.
- ▪A recent High Court ruling found institutions can be held responsible for abuse by those acting on their behalf, such as priests or schools.
- ▪The NSW Department of Communities and Justice stated it cannot comment on individual cases but aims to resolve abuse claims promptly.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Sydney Morning Herald.